Tesla Model S: The Mother Of All Product Launches

By Ranjan Hulugalle:This is my first article on Seeking Alpha. It has been inspired by the Tesla (TSLA) debate, which has been one of the most vibrant that I have seen on SA. I will focus on the product launch of the Model S, competitive analysis, financial analysis, and stock market dynamics. Many of the figures are estimates, and will be refined in a more detailed analysis later on. So now, without further adieu, I would like to introduce you to The Model S.The Model S
In a few years, the Tesla Model S could be the best selling fully electric car in the United States. This would be an amazing achievement, as they are competing against the global auto giants. Tesla has a chance to accomplish this by selling cars into a low volume luxury segment, not the mass market that the Chevy Volt/Nissan (NSANY.PK) Leaf are aimed at. WhatComplete Story »

At his 2011 State of the Union address, President Obama predicted that US would have one million electric vehicles (EVs) on road by 2015. This bold prediction has failed to materialize.
Obama administration has been a strong advocate of low or zero carbon emitting vehicles, as global warming and climatic issues take center stage. When it comes to environmental friendly vehicles, the US government has always backed electric cars.

By Ryan Salomone:Tesla Motors, Inc (TSLA) is a designer and manufacturer of electric vehicles with enormous potential starting mid 2012 when it launches sales of its Model S. Many investors are shorting Tesla, electric vehicles, and green companies in general, however failures within the green industry will not be knocking on Tesla's door.

ByOdysseus:As this Motor Trend article states, Tesla (TSLA) ended Q2 with a 12% sales decline (4181 units sold in Q2 versus 4750 in Q1). As some have predicted the initial sales demand from the very wealthy and car enthusiasts maybe wearing off.

Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) is reported to have sold 3,500 Model S sedans last month, according estimates provided by Insider EV. However, Bidness Etc believes that numbers revealed by Inside EV lack credibility as it remains a bit far-fetched for many, that sales of the high-end premium Model S has surpassed the sales of the mass-market and more affordable option, the Nissan Motor Co Ltd's (ADR) (OTCMKTS:NSANY) Leaf EV (electric vehicle).

Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA), for the most part, has been in the good books of sell-side analysts in the recent past, despite CEO Elon Musk’s worrying comments earlier this month regarding the company’s sluggish initial sales in China.

Investors remain concerned about the future of Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA), as more and more competitors enter the electric vehicle (EV) space. These automakers plan to introduce vehicles that will pose direct competition to Tesla’s premium EV Model S and mass market EV Model 3, scheduled to be launched in 2017.

DETROIT (Reuters) - General Motors Co <GM.N> said on Tuesday it is slashing the price of its Chevrolet Volt electric car by $5,000 to help boost demand for the plug-in hybrid in a segment still struggling to gain a foothold in the U.S. auto market.

Tesla Motors Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA) the rapidly growing electric automaker which has built a solid reputation around the company’s only product, the premium electric Model S sedan, is aiming to go mainstream in 2017 with a more affordable mid-range EV it calls the ‘Model 3’. Since the launch of the Model S in 2012, Tesla has dominated the premium EV market but the highly competitive mass market is a whole different ball game for Tesla.